Hi, I'm Mark Burbach, and I'm an Associate Geoscientist with the School of Natural Resources. More specifically, my title is Environmental Scientist.

I direct the SNR Human Dimensions program. This program focuses on the study of how people influence the development, management, and evaluation of our local and global environmental systems. We explore people's beliefs, values, and attitudes and how these affect natural resource management and policy.

I also enjoy my other diverse responsibilities. I teach courses on leadership and management in government organizations with emphasis on natural resource agencies. I am currently exploring the development of a new course on the human dimensions of natural resource management.

I conduct basic and applied research on human behavior and the environment. My research efforts have ranged from studying why farmers engage in conservation practices to exploring park visitor's connection to nature. I find studying why people do the things they do, particularly with regard to the natural environment, fascinating and exciting.

I also have nearly 25 years of experience leading groundwater quality and quantity investigations. I recently turned over the coordination of the SNR Statewide Groundwater Level Monitoring Program to Jesse Korus but I still direct the overall program. In this role I have published many maps on groundwater level changes in Nebraska and given many presentations on the status of Nebraska's groundwater resources. I also manage the SNR Real-Time Groundwater Level Monitoring Program.

I have been at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln since 1989. In my scholarly service and extension roles, I have led leadership development workshops, presented research results at national conferences, and assisted Natural Resources Districts with their groundwater monitoring efforts.